School rejects criticism after deciding to scrap whnau class

[ad_1]

Kavinda Herath/Stuff

Parent Vanessa Shanks is upset Invercargill Middle School is closing its whanau classroom.

A parent believes Invercargill Primary Schools’ decision to scrap a whnau class for its pupils is a step backwards, but the school disagrees.

Mom Vanessa Shanks (Ngi Tahu) said the full-time whnau class at Invercargill Middle School was different from other classes at the school. Its 4th to 6th graders choose to be there to learn in te reo Mori and English and learn about the culture, history and stories of the Mori people.

The class had produced many children belonging to its whnau approach and te reo and te ao Mori accent. Her customs included not wearing shoes in the classroom and making karakia before morning tea and lunch, she said.

Closing the class feels like stepping back in time and a huge loss to the community.

READ MORE:* Former students are ‘giving back’ to Invercargill school* Zui hui shares Te Pouahi students’ love for learning Te Reo* Why Wellington Awhi Yoga Studio adopted te reo Mori

However, Invercargill Middle School board chair Pam Campbell said the decision to close the whnau class was made in order to spread her Mori teachings throughout the school.

The board had decided to broadcast and integrate the kaupapa of their whnau class in all seven classrooms of his school from the start of the 2023 school year.

It was a positive move for students and followed the direction of the Ministry of Education in terms of increasing the teaching of te reo Mori and te ao Mori in all classrooms, Campbell said.

So, this causes all of our classes to have a wonderful amount of te reo and te ao Mori throughout the school.

Shanks acknowledged that the school would try to integrate the Mori teachings throughout the school, but wondered if other teachers would have the passion and knowledge of the whnau class teacher.

She thought closing whnau classrooms would have a big effect on students.

It’s part of who they are, it’s their culture and their identity.

ALDEN WILLIAMS/STUFF

Growing up, Anton Matthews experienced school in both the te kura kaupapa system and the traditional system. (Video first published in September 2019)

Southland Primary Principals Association chairman Simon Bell said some schools may have whnau classes or Mori immersion classes, but now there is a need to embed Mori culture in every classroom.

I think it’s good, I have three boys growing up and I think it’s important for them to learn about our culture and our history.

Integrating te reo into classrooms could mean introducing Mori phrases and phrases instead of just saying kia ora every morning, he said.

The Education and Training: Treaty of Waitangi Act 2020 states that one of the main aims of school boards is to give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi by ensuring that their curricula reflect the local Mori culture, the mori education and the mori world.

The law also states that school boards must take all reasonable steps to make instruction available in Tikanga Mori and Te Reo Mori and achieve equitable outcomes for Mori students.

[ad_2]